The Press., 1887-12-22

A Christmas eve SOclal, with a goo 3 time for the little ones, at the M B. Sunda : school room on Saturday evening, at
 o'clock, and Christmas concert in tn 1 church on Sunday evening at 2. The Sun ! day morning service will also be especial, s adapted to the day, in sermon and music , Rev. MT. Drew and family are now install ed in the parsonage.
 , Parsons has the Connecticut AImana
 for 1888. Price 10 cents. This almana.
 has already large sale here, and deserves it. It is a valuable state institution.
 Freeman F. Patten, of the Warrer
 Woolen Company, has been sick for near
 ly two weeks with typhoid fever. Hi condition is now thought to be improving There are few men whose absence from active duty would be more noticeable, and much interest is felt in his early recovery. [, The newly elected officers of Winter Post will be installed on Monday evening, Jan. 2d, by E. K. Robbins, aide de camp, of Union.
 This is jolly week for shoppers and shopkeepers. s.... ...
 l {Cerrespondence)
 Hartford, Conn.,, Dec. 20th, 1887. | Noticing an article in your last issue by Stafford Springs correspondent of the Monson Mirror, in which, as you term it, some "cold facts" are given in relation to the "no action" of the town in regard to accepting legacy left them in trust by the late M. R. West, it seems to mo to be proper at this time to let the public know exactly what these ''cold facts' are. On the 17th of March, 1887, at the request Of the executrix of his estate, I notified by letter the seleetmen of Stafford that such a bequest was left the town in trust, and for what purpose, and asking them to notify me if the town would accept the same. After waiting until the 25th of April with out any response, I, at the request of the executrix, again wrote the selectmen, ask ing again whether the town would accept the trust. This brought reply, dated April 26th, saying that my letter was re- ceived and the matter brought before the board at the first monthly meeting, and that they thought it best to respectfully decline, and to excuse neglect in not noti- flying me at an earlier date, signed by the chairman of the board. l then wrote the selectmen on the 18th of April, saying that l did not understand that the selectmen had the power either to accept or reject a bequest of this kind, and also writing them where they would find theIaw defining their duties. This brought response from the chairman on April 29th, saying that when the matter was first brought to their notice the s'board" did not conceive it within their province to accept the truet or deem it of sufficient importance 10 jnsti- fy them in calling special town meeting to pass upon the matter. When necessary to call meeting of the town "this busi- ness will be properly brought before it for their consideration. On My 2d I again wrote the chairman of the board, for the Sfrvs,, l., r1> ready to pay over the legacy left the town by her late husband, aud asking them if they would please call a town meeting to sre if the town would accept of the trust, aud notify her, as she wished to settle the estate. This brought a response from the chairman on May 9th, saying they should hardly feel justified in calling a special town meeting to pass upon the sc- ceptance of the legacy in question. At the first meeting called for any purpose the matter should be properly presented for consideration. Thus the matter rested until November 22d, when the executor requested me to again write the selectmen, asking them what action, If any, had been taken by the town in relation to the legacy left them by Mir. West. This brought A response fremrthe chairman of the board, saying that at 8 legally warned meeting. held on the 14th day of November inst, 1t was voted to take "no action" on the 5,h clause ill the warning, viz. "To see if the town will Vote to accept or take charge of a trust fund of $30O-a bequest made by the late M. R. West of Hartford, the in- come of which to be expended for the ben eft of the West cemetery, so-called." I refrain from commenting on the above &C., ton of the said officials, prefering to let the citizens of Stafford judge for them selves, and will only say that have very grave doubts whether the town can legally dispose of this matter in this way. Here is sum of money left to the town in trust for specific purpose. It seems to me l they should meet it in a manly way, and by vote of the town either accept or de- cline the trust, and not ''skulk under the fence" and vote to take 'no action" in the matter. or, in other words, treat it with 'silent contempt" l.. G. CUMMrNas STAFFORD HOLLOW. There will be a social drnce at thu town hall on Friday evening, Dec 30th. Good music and prompting are promised, and the public are cordially invited to at tend. Tickets only 50 cents.
 The minstrel entertainment recently given at town hall will be repeated at Preble's Hall, Orcuttville, on Tuesday evening, Dec. 27. The program consists of two farces, singing, instrumental music, dancing, &c. Admission 15c. Entertain ment begins at 8 o'clock.
 A Christmas supper will be served Saturday evening for the children of the Universalist church.
 Rev. J. F. Simmons will preach a Christmas sermon Sunday morning, and in the evening there will be a concert, with singing and speaking and remarks by the pastor. A cordial invitation to all. | Arrangements for the lecture course at the Hollow are nearly perfected and the season tickets will soon be ready for sale. The lectures will be given in the Spirit dalist hall. The self appointed committee in charge consists of Mrs. Ellen Weston, Mr. E. Dwight, MT. R. G. Beebe and Rev. J. F. Simmons. Their only motive in pushing the matter is the pubic good, and they will be satisfied if the people of Staf- ford appreciate their efforts enough to pay the bills. The first lecture will be given Wednesday evening, Jan. 4th, 1888, by Rev. pr. 0. H. Eaton of New York, the young and eloquent pastor of the church of the Divine Paternity, subjeot-'The New Aristocracy." Dr. Eaton is living embodiment of his theme and all who hear him will have rich treat. The commit